CONVENT— A judge has ruled in favor of 23rd Judicial District Court Judge Steven C. Tureau, allowing him to remain on the November ballot after two St. James Parish residents filed a lawsuit claiming he falsely certified that he had filed his state income taxes.

Robert J. Snyder, Jr. and Ruth W. Snyder filed the petition in the 23rd Judicial District Court, objecting to Tureau’s candidacy, last week. Tureau has served on the 23rd Judicial District Court bench covering Ascension, Assumption and St. James parishes since 2020.

Robert Snyder is running against Tureau for the seat.

The lawsuit—considered by Judge Paul Bonin—named Tureau as a defendant along with Ascension Parish Clerk of Court Bridget Hanna and St. James Parish Clerk of Court Shane Leblanc.

Tureau certified on his qualifying form that he had filed state income taxes for 2020 through 2024 and had filed an extension for 2025. Snyder requested verification from the Louisiana Department of Revenue, which responded with a letter and a sworn affidavit from its public records custodian, Antonio C. Ferachi, stating that Tureau did not file state income tax returns for 2022, 2023 or 2024.

The petition argued that falsely certifying tax compliance on a qualifying form is grounds to remove a candidate from the ballot under Louisiana election law.

In court on Tuesday, Tureau’s defense team said the judge filed tax extensions for each of the years questioned and that Turreau’s 2025 taxes are not yet due.

The defense called Dale Thornton, Tureau’s certified public accountant, as a witness. Thornton testified that he filed the tax returns and extensions for the years in question.

The primary election is scheduled for Nov. 3, with a general election set for Dec. 12 if needed.